Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

EFFECT OF RITUAL ACTIVITY ON THE LENTIC WATER RESOURCES OF JOTIBA (WADI-RATNAGIRI), KOLHAPUR DISTRICT, MAHARASHTRA

S.B. Jadhav, N.S. Chavan and M.V. Gokhale

Abstract

Monitoring of the water resources is the first step to be taken before initiating any management and conservation plan. An attempt is made for the first time to report the status of water resources of Jotiba. Physico-chernical properties of lentic water resources of Jotiba (Wadi-Ratnagiri) of Kolhapur district were measured at four sites, at monthly interval. The parameters studied were temperature, pH, electrical conductivity, total solids, hardness, free CO„ total alkalinity, dissolved oxygen, COD, chloride, inorganic phosphorus, nitrate, oil and grease and minerals such as Ca and Mg. The assessment was carried out before and after Chaitra ritual (Chaitra-Yatra) activity. The results of the present investigation suggest great influence of yearly ritual activity on the water resources of Jotiba.